Take a Risk for God’s Promise
Sunday 12th May 2019This weekend on the World day of Prayer for Vocations. How will we answer our unique calling? Pope Francis is urging Catholics to pray that we have the courage to walk in the path God has chosen for each of us.
He made the call in his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations that will be observed on the 4th Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, May 12.
This years theme, “The Courage to take a risk for God’s Promise” is a reflection on “how the Lord’s call makes us bearers of a promise and, at the same time, asks of us the courage to take a risk, with him and for him”.
Embracing the Lord’s promise, the Pope said, demands the courage to risk making a decision, of putting ourselves on the line and facing a great challenge. Not wanting to leave behind our security prevents us from making a definitive choice, he said, we are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives, trusting in the Lord’s promise.
Speaking about the call to consecrated life and priesthood, the Pope said it can excite as well as frighten us. Our decision to risk leaving behind everything to follow the Lord can meet much resistance in today’s highly secularised contexts. The Holy Father thus urged young people not to be deaf to the Lord’s call, saying there can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord.
The Pope acknowledged it is not always easy to discern our vocation and to steer our life in the right direction. Hence the whole Church – priests, religious, pastoral workers and educators – needs to provide young people with opportunities for listening and discernment. Youth ministry and promotion of vocations along with prayer, meditation on God’s Word, Eucharistic adoration and spiritual accompaniment, the Pope said, help in discovering God’s plan.
In conclusion, Pope Francis offered young people the model of Mary, whose vocation, he said, was both a promise and a risk. Her mission was not easy, yet through her ‘yes’ she did not allow fear to prevail.
We are grateful to all those who support vocations within the diocese. We ask that you continue to pray for our seminarians and all those who are on the journey of discernment. We also give thanks to all those who have chosen to serve the diocese.
You can find out more about the diocesan vocations office here
If you would like to support the work of the Ecclesiastical Education Fund, which funds the training and support of those in formation for the diaconate or priesthood for the Diocese of Salford. You can do so via:
BAC Transfer to:
Ecclesiastical Education Fund
Account: 80297526
Sort Code: 20-55-34
or
Cheques made to: Ecclesiastical Education Fund
Finance Office Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford St, Salford M3 6DP
Tagged | Catholic Church
